Odisha Governor calls for fire safety audits in higher education institutions

Bhubaneswar, Sept 3 (UNI) Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati today urged the Fire and Emergency Services Department to conduct preventive fire safety audits in all institutions under the Higher Education Department, with special focus on campuses having large auditoriums.

The Governor made the remarks during a detailed presentation on Disaster Preparedness and Response by the Fire and Emergency Services Department at Raj Bhavan.
The presentation covered the department’s equipment, manpower, training programmes, and future plans.
Dr. Kambhampati stressed the importance of preventive fire audits in educational institutions, noting that such inspections help detect risks early and ensure timely corrective action.

He said addressing these risks in advance would guarantee safer evacuation routes, reduce casualties, minimize property loss, and promote a culture of safety among students and staff.

Officials highlighted the department’s modern equipment, including Robotic Monitors, Advanced Rescue Tenders, Incident Command Vehicles, Hydraulic Platforms, and other advanced machinery. The Governor also sought updates on procurement of new equipment and plans for future upgrades.

The Governor was briefed on the National Water Rescue and Watermanship Centre at Ramchandi, Puri, and informed that Odisha has become the first state in the country to deploy a K-9 Squad for fire and rescue operations.
Appreciating the department’s efficiency, Dr. Kambhampati commended initiatives such as fully online fire licensing, engagement of third-party agencies, and Odisha’s overall disaster preparedness, describing the state as a model for others.

The Governor also visited the Command Vehicle and reviewed its advanced features.
Present on the occasion were DG Fire Services, Home Guard and Director, Civil Defense Odisha Police Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi; DIG Fire & Emergency Services and Home Guards Dr. Umashankar Dash; Commissioner-cum-Secretary to the Governor Roopa Roshan Sahoo; and senior officials of the Fire Services Department.